Tonight is the night. Thomson, Whelan and Grocott are all tipping off tonight for the 2024 Season. Starting off with the Lincoln University Thomson Division One picks. We have 15 teams competing in Division One this season, across four pools…
Starting off with the Lincoln University Thomson Division One picks. We have 15 teams competing in Division One this season, across four pools to begin. All games tip off at 7.30pm.
Pool A gives Hillmorton an easy start with a bye week, while the other teams in their pool, Christ’s College and Cashmere are battling it out in the Christ’s College new gym grand opening.
My pick- Christ’s College.
Pool B has Rangiora host Riccarton while St Bede’s have CBHS to battle.
My picks- Rangiora and St Bede’s.
Pool C has the Dowson Cup up for grabs with current holders St Thomas bringing in cup challengers Kaiapoi, and Shirley Spartans after a strong pre-season performance host Burnside.
My picks- St Thomas (to retain the Dowson Cup) and Shirley Spartans.
Lastly Pool D have Rolleston and Middleton Grange Gators have an early tip off at 6.45pm, while Ashburton have a hike into Christchurch to play St Andrews.
My picks- Rolleston and St Andrews.
Next up Lincoln University Thomson Division Two. We have 8 teams contesting Division Two this year.
All tipping off at 7.30pm, we have (my picks in bold):
Rangiora New Life School vs Lincoln High at Rangiora New Life School
Cathedral College vs Papanui High at Cathedral College
Hornby High vs Darfield High at Hornby High
Hagley College vs Oxford at Hagley College
Now to the Ladies, with just 6 teams in Lincoln University Whelan Division One (all games tip off at 5.45pm).
Preseason champs St Andrews take on Cashmere at home, St Margarets and Kaiapoi are in for a battle at St Margarets and Rangiora look to regain strength after the preseason tournament hosting CGHS.
My picks- St Andrews, Kaiapoi and Rangiora
Lincoln University Whelan Division Two has some growth with ten teams battling it out this year.
Villa Maria host Rangiora New Life School.
Rolleston now travel to Burnside to play a combined Burnside Papanui.
Hagley host Hillmorton.
And Ashburton travel in to play Rangi Ruru.
And last up our young guns in the NZCT Grocott Trophy. These games tip off at 4.15pm unless stated otherwise.
St Bede’s are hosting Cashmere (5.45pm tip off).
Christ’s College are travelling to Kaiapoi while their new gym is getting set up.
Rangiora Juniors host Lincoln.
Shirley’s young spartans take on Ellesmere.
And last up St Thomas host Hillmorton.
There is plenty of Tuesday Night Basketball action on so head out and support your local high school in Canterbury Basketball’s premier High School Competitions.
Good luck for the first game of the season, and I look forward to seeing the results come through.